Dragonsong: Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 1

Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern. All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.

Dragonflight: Dragonriders of Pern

On the beautiful planet Pern, colonized for centuries, Land Holders and Craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs to which they are bound. In times past, the mighty telepathic dragons and their riders were the only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening Thread. Now those times may be returning....

Dragonflight: Dragonriders of Pern

On the beautiful planet Pern, colonized for centuries, Land Holders and Craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs to which they are bound. In times past, the mighty telepathic dragons and their riders were the only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening Thread. Now those times may be returning....

Dragon's Kin: Dragonriders of Pern, Book 18

Young Kindan has no expectations other than joining his father in the mines of Camp Natalon, a coal mining settlement struggling to turn a profit far from the great Holds where the presence of dragons and their riders means safety and civilization. Mining is fraught with danger. Fortunately, the camp has a watch-wher, a creature distantly related to dragons and uniquely suited to specialized work in the dark, cold mineshafts.

The Outstretched Shadow: The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1

Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training---all men, for women were unfit to practice magic---memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.

The Riddle-Master of Hed: Riddle-Master Trilogy, Book 1

Long ago, the wizards had vanished from the world, and all knowledge was left hidden in riddles. Morgon, prince of the simple farmers of Hed, proved himself a master of such riddles when he staked his life to win a crown from the dead Lord of Aum.But now ancient, evil forces were threatening him. Shape changers began replacing friends until no man could be trusted. So Morgon was forced to flee to hostile kingdoms, seeking the High One who ruled from mysterious Erlenstar Mountain.Beside him went Deth, the High One's Harper. Ahead lay strange encounters and terrifying adventures.

Freedom's Landing: Freedom Series, Book 1

It's the dawning of a new age for mankind when the Catteni descend to Earth and easily overcome the Earth's population. Thousands are herded onto slave ships headed for the intergalactic auction block. Kris Bjornsen is captured in Denver on her way to her college classes and wakes up on the primitive planet Barevi.

Dune: House Atreides: House Trilogy, Book 1

Capturing all the complexity and grand themes of the original, this prequel to the Dune series weaves a new tapestry of betrayal, passion, and destiny into a saga that expands the tale written by Frank Herbert more than 30 years ago.

The Rowan: Tower and Hive, Book 1

The kinetically gifted, trained in mind/machine gestalt, are the most valued citizens of the Nine Star League. Using mental powers alone, these few Prime Talents transport ships, cargo, and people between Earth's Moon, Mars' Demos and Jupiter's Callisto.

At the Sign of Triumph: Safehold, Book 9

The Church of God Awaiting's triumph over Charis was inevitable. Despite its prosperity, the Charis was a single, small island realm. It boasted less than two percent of the total population of Safehold. How could it possibly resist total destruction? The Church had every reason to be confident of a swift, crushing victory, an object lesson to other rebels.

Closer to the Chest: The Herald Spy, Book Three

Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar's Herald-Spy, has been developing a clandestine network of young informants who operate not only on the streets of the capital city of Haven but also in the Great Halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. In his own established alternate personas, Mags observes the Court and the alleys alike, quietly gathering information to keep Haven and the Kingdom safe.

Feast of Souls: Magister Trilogy, Book 1

C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces listeners to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have listeners eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.

Publisher's Summary

When the voice of Piemur, an apprentice at Harper Hall, changes, he has to leave the companionship of Master Shonagar behind. But his disappointment is soon replaced by a new challenge. He is to enter the service of the Master Harper himself as a rider of dragons. Soon, he embarks on a dangerous mission to the Southern Hold. The future of Pern hangs on his success.

What the Critics Say

"Young people will be entranced again by Pern's ways and in Piemur find an impulsive, thoroughly sympathetic hero." (School Library Journal)
"As deftly structured and as smoothly written as its predecessors." (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books)
"All dragonrider fans will want to read it." (Voice of Youth Advocates)

This is another favorite author of mine from my adolescence. I am rereading them with my ears and finding them more enjoyable than ever. The wonderful tales thread together to create a world of dragons. Yet the story is still a story of human relations, charactors, emotions, life and society. In each book we can find our selves and those we know.

Still love the story after all these years. And the narrator, while not to my taste, does a good job. But these recordings are VERY old and it shows. At the very least they need to be remastered, if not re-recorded. There are awkward cuts and frequent dropped words - as if the recordings were made from cassette tapes that had been warped. It makes me hesitate to buy any more of the Dragonrider books because I'm concerned that there will be similar problems if the recordings are of a similar age.

Where does Dragondrums rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would say it's average. I've listened to some great ones!

What did you like best about this story?

Anne McCaffrey's world-building is brilliant. She is truly a master. Also, even though this is the third book in the series, it really stands on its own as a story and I could easily see someone reading and enjoying it who knew very little about Pern at all.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I really feel as though Sally Darling's voice isn't appropriate for these books. It feels like your grandmother is sitting down to read you a story, which might be great in some cases, but these books are just too cool for that to be effective.

I 1st read the Harper Hall trilogy as a teen and loved the story. It must have had a lot of influence on me as I ended up married to a musician. I have just introduced my 7 yr old to the series. He enjoyed it very much and I think will become a fan too.

I read the harper series nearly twenty years ago and absolutely loved it, so I knew the story before I listened to it on Audible. I was somewhat hesitant though, as I have found several of my favourite books absolutely RUINED by poor narrators with grating voices, but Ms Darling does an excellent job portraying a vast array of personalities. She has a very pleasant voice and it was a pleasure listening to the story.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Tasha Walsh

london

9/13/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Hooked on Pern all over again"

The narration by Sally Darling captures the atmosphere and characters. One of McCaffrey's most delightful!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

waganga

7/20/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"My guilty schmaltz"

What made the experience of listening to Dragondrums the most enjoyable?

My favourite McCaffrey book by far - always connected with this one since I first read it in the eighties - sympathetically read by Sally Darling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dragondrums?

Always grabs my gut in the last few sentences.

Have you listened to any of Sally Darling’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Sally Darling is the best reader I've heard of Anne and Todd McCaffrey's work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

Piemur's my favourite McCaffrey creation. The book and this reading really do him justice.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sue

Wakefield, United Kingdom

8/20/11

Overall

"Wonderful"

I loved these books years ago and this reading brought back all of the magic. Lovely.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sean A.

3/31/11

Overall

"Excellent reproduction"

Having been a fan of Anne McCaffrey for many years this audio book did not dissapoint.
I hope to find and listen to many more.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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